Mitochondria and Cancer

Cuproptosis and Serine Metabolism Blockade Triggered by Copper-Based Prussian Blue Nanomedicine for Enhanced Tumor Therapy

Cuproptosis, a newly defined cell death process, represents a novel modality with significant therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. Nevertheless, the modest concentration and transient half-life of copper ions in the bloodstream constrain their efficient delivery into tumor cells. In this study, a copper-based prussian blue nanostructure loaded with serine metabolic inhibitor (NCT-503@Cu-HMPB) is constructed for selectively inducing cuproptosis combined with disrupting serine metabolism. Released within the tumor cells, NCT-503 is found to inhibit cellular serine metabolism and GSH production, ultimately causing metabolic dysfunction, redox imbalance, and increased the formation of Cu+ that disrupts mitochondrial respiration chain, inducing lipoylated protein dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT) aggregation and consequential iron-sulfur cluster protein loss, which leads to proteotoxic stress and ultimately results in cell death. The findings provide a novel paradigm for tumor therapy based on cuproptosis and metabolic reprogramming, offering prospects for the development of innovative nanotherapeutic platforms in the future.

Mitochondrial dysfunction route as a possible biomarker and therapy target for human cancer

Mitochondria are vital organelles found within living cells and have signalling, biosynthetic, and bioenergetic functions. Mitochondria play a crucial role in metabolic reprogramming, which is a characteristic of cancer cells and allows them to ensure a steady supply of proteins, nucleotides, and lipids to enable rapid proliferation and development. Their dysregulated activities have been associated with the growth and metastasis of different kinds of human cancer, particularly ovarian carcinoma. In this review, we briefly demonstrated the modified mitochondrial function in cancer, including mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, dynamics, apoptosis of cells, autophagy, and calcium excess to maintain cancer genesis, progression, and metastasis. Furthermore, the mitochondrial dysfunction pathway for some genomic, proteomic, and metabolomics modifications in ovarian cancer has been studied. Additionally, ovarian cancer has been linked to targeted therapies and biomarkers found through various alteration processes underlying mitochondrial dysfunction, notably targeting (ROS), metabolites, rewind metabolic pathways, and chemo-resistant ovarian carcinoma cells.

Exercise, cancer, and the cardiovascular system: clinical effects and mechanistic insights

Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are the leading causes of death in the Western world and share common risk factors. Reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a major determinant of cardiovascular morbidity and cancer survival. In this review we discuss cancer- induced disturbances of parenchymal, cellular, and mitochondrial function, which limit CRF and may be antagonized and attenuated through exercise training. We show the impact of CRF on cancer survival and its attenuating effects on cardiotoxicity of cancer-related treatment. Tailored exercise programs are not yet available for each tumor entity as several trials were performed in heterogeneous populations without adequate cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) prior to exercise prescription and with a wide variation of exercise modalities. There is emerging evidence that exercise may be a crucial pillar in cancer treatment and a tool to mitigate cardiotoxic treatment effects. We discuss modalities of aerobic exercise and resistance training and their potential to improve CRF in cancer patients and provide an example of a periodization model for exercise training in cancer.

Selective deficiency of mitochondrial respiratory complex I subunits Ndufs4/6 causes tumor immunogenicity

Cancer cells frequently rewire their metabolism to support proliferation and evade immune surveillance, but little is known about metabolic targets that could increase immune surveillance. Here we show a specific means of mitochondrial respiratory complex I (CI) inhibition that improves tumor immunogenicity and sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Targeted genetic deletion of either Ndufs4 or Ndufs6, but not other CI subunits, induces an immune-dependent growth attenuation in melanoma and breast cancer models. We show that deletion of Ndufs4 induces expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I co-activator Nlrc5 and antigen presentation machinery components, most notably H2-K1. This induction of MHC-related genes is driven by a pyruvate dehydrogenase-dependent accumulation of mitochondrial acetyl-CoA, which leads to an increase in histone H3K27 acetylation within the Nlrc5 and H2-K1 promoters. Taken together, this work shows that selective CI inhibition restricts tumor growth and that specific targeting of Ndufs4 or Ndufs6 increases T cell surveillance and ICB responsiveness.

A pH responsive nanocomposite for combination sonodynamic-immunotherapy with ferroptosis and calcium ion overload via SLC7A11/ACSL4/LPCAT3 pathway

Sonodynamic therapy offers a non-invasive approach to induce the death of tumor cells. By harnessing ultrasound waves in tandem with sonosensitizers, this method produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that inflict oxidative damage upon tumor cells, subsequently causing their demise. Ferroptosis is a regulatory form of cell death that differs from other forms, characterized by iron accumulation, ROS accumulation, and lipid peroxidation. In the presented research, a nanoparticle formulation, parthenolide/ICG-CaCO3@lipid (PTL/ICG-CaCO3@Lip), has been engineered to amplify ferroptosis in tumor cells, positioning it as a potent agent for sonodynamic cancer immunotherapy. This nanoparticle significantly augments ROS levels within tumor cells, inducing oxidative stress that leads to cell death. The therapeutic potential of PTL/ICG-CaCO3@Lip, both in vivo and in vitro, has been convincingly demonstrated. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis insights revealed that PTL/ICG-CaCO3@Lip facilitates tumor cell ferroptosis by regulating P53 to downregulate SLC7A11 protein expression, thereby inhibiting the glutamate-cystine antiporter system Xc- and stimulating ACSL4/LPCAT3 pathways. This pioneering work uncovers an innovative strategy for combatting tumors, leveraging enhanced oxidative stress to promote cell ferroptosis, and paves the way for groundbreaking cancer immunotherapeutic interventions.

Mitochondrial respiration in white adipose tissue is dependent on body mass index and tissue location in patients undergoing oncological or parietal digestive surgery

Adipose tissue (AT), is a major endocrine organ that plays a key role in health and disease. However, adipose dysfunctions, especially altered energy metabolism, have been under-investigated as white adipocytes have relatively low mitochondrial density. Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that mitochondria could play a major role in AT disorders and that AT mitochondrial activity could depend on adiposity level and location. This clinical study aimed to evaluate mitochondrial respiration and metabolism in human visceral (vAT) and subcutaneous (scAT) AT and their relationship with body mass index (BMI). This clinical study enrolled 67 patients (30 females/37 males) scheduled for digestive surgery without chemotherapy and parietal infection. BMI ranged from 15.4 to 51.9 kg·m-2 and body composition was estimated by computed tomographic images. Mitochondrial respiration was measured in situ in digitonin-permeabilized AT using high-resolution respirometry and a substrate/inhibitor titration approach. Protein levels of mitochondrial and lipid metabolism key elements were evaluated by Western blot. Maximal mitochondrial respiration correlated negatively with BMI (p < .01) and AT area (p < .001) regardless of the anatomical location. However, oxidative phosphorylation respiration was significantly higher in vAT (2.22 ± 0.15 pmol·sec-1·mg-1) than scAT (1.79 ± 0.17 pmol·sec-1·mg-1) (p < 0.001). In line with oxygraphy results, there were higher levels of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in low-BMI patients and vAT. Mitochondrial respiration decreased with increasing BMI in both scAT and vAT, without sex-associated difference. Mitochondrial respiration appeared to be higher in vAT than scAT. These differences were both qualitative and quantitative. Clinical Trials Registration IDNCT05417581.

Mitochondrial DNA alterations in precision oncology: Emerging roles in diagnostics and therapeutics

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles essential for vital cellular functions, including ATP production, apoptosis regulation, and calcium homeostasis. Increasing research has highlighted the significance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and alterations in the development and progression of various diseases, including cancer. The high mutation rate and vulnerability of mtDNA to damage make these alterations valuable biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, detecting metastasis, and predicting treatment resistance across different tumor types. This review explores the emerging roles of mtDNA alterations in precision oncology, emphasizing their potential in theranostics. The authors explore the mechanisms by which mtDNA mutations contribute to tumorigenesis and therapy resistance, the impact of heteroplasmy in cancer biology, and the integration of mtDNA-based diagnostics with current therapeutic strategies. Additionally, the authors highlight the experimental tools and models currently used to investigate mtDNA alterations in cancer, including advanced sequencing technologies and animal models.

Didymin Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Gastric Cancer Cells by Modulating the PI3K/Akt Pathway

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of didymin, a dietary flavonoid glycoside, on GC treatment. Human GC cell lines Hs-746T and AGS were used to assess the effects of didymin on cell viability, cell proliferation, and cell cycle. The results showed that didymin decreased the proliferative capacity of GC cells and blocked cell cycle. Didymin decreased wound healing, invasion, and migration capacities of GC cells. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potentials were reduced in cells treated with didymin. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the therapeutic effects of didymin on AGS cells were related to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. In vivo mouse xenograft studies confirmed that didymin treatment decreased tumor cell proliferation, cell cycle protein levels, and Akt phosphorylation. The present study demonstrated that didymin regulates mitochondrial function and the PI3K/Akt pathway to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, didymin is a promising drug for the treatment of GC.

Resistance to Radiotherapy in Cancer

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is a medical treatment that uses high doses of ionizing radiation to eliminate cancer cells and shrink tumors. It works by targeting the DNA within the tumor cells restricting their proliferation. Radiotherapy has been used for treating cancer for more than 100 years. Along with surgery and chemotherapy, it is one of the three main and most common approaches used in cancer therapy. Nowadays, radiotherapy has become a standard treatment option for a wide range of cancers around the world, including lung, breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. Around 50% of all patients will require radiotherapy, 60% of whom are treated with curative intent. Moreover, it is commonly used for palliative treatment. Radiotherapy provides 5-year local control and overall survival benefit in 10.4% and 2.4% of all cancer patients, respectively. The highest local control benefit is reported for cervical (33%), head and neck (32%), and prostate (26%) cancers. But no benefit is observed in pancreas, ovary, liver, kidney, and colon cancers. Such relatively low efficiency is related to the development of radiation resistance, which results in cancer recurrence, metastatic dissemination, and poor prognosis. The identification of radioresistance biomarkers allows for improving the treatment outcome. These biomarkers mainly include proteins involved in metabolism and cell signaling pathways.

TOM40 as a prognostic oncogene for oral squamous cell carcinoma prognosis

BACKGROUND

To investigate the role of the translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane 40 (TOM40) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with the aim of identifying new biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets.

METHODS

TOM40 expression level in OSCC was evaluated using datasets downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), as well as clinical data. The correlation between TOM40 expression level and the clinicopathological parameters and survival were analyzed in TCGA. The signaling pathways associated with TOM40 were identified through gene set enrichment analysis. A network of genes co-expressed with TOM40 was constructed and functionally annotated by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. The immune infiltration pattern in OSCC was analyzed in the TCGA-OSCC cohort using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Clinically significant factors of OSCC were screened through the expression levels of TOM40 and a clinically relevant nomogram was constructed. The TCGA-OSCC cohort was divided into the TOM40high and TOM40low groups and the correlation between TOM40 expression level and the sensitivity to frequently used chemotherapeutic drugs was evaluated. CCK-8 and colony formation assays were applied to determine the cell growth.

RESULTS

TOM40 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues and correlated negatively with the overall survival (P < 0.05). Patients with high TOM40 expression level showed worse prognosis. Furthermore, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the differentially expressed genes related to TOM40 showed that these genes are mainly associated with immunity and tumorigenesis. Immunological infiltration analysis has found that the expression levels of TOM40 are correlated with the proportions of several immune cells. Moreover, we found that TOM40 knockdown inhibited cell growth in OSCC cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results uncovered that TOM40 is a reliable prognostic marker and therapeutic target in OSCC.

Mitochondrial A3 Adenosine Receptor as a Mechanism for the Protective Effects of A3AR Agonists on Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain

Alterations in mitochondrial function are the linchpin in numerous disease states including in the development of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CIPN), a major dose-limiting toxicity of widely used chemotherapeutic cytotoxins. In CIPN, mitochondrial dysfunction is characterized by deficits in mitochondrial bioenergetics (e.g., decreased ATP production) that are thought to drive the degeneration of the peripheral nerve sensory axon terminal sensory arbors in the skin (the intraepidermal nerve fibers; IENFs) and induce abnormal spontaneous discharge in peripheral nerve sensory axons. Preserving mitochondrial function is anticipated to prevent CIPN. We have now discovered that the G-protein-coupled receptor, A3 adenosine receptor subtype (A3AR), is expressed on the mitochondrial outer membrane. Ex vivo application of a highly selective A3AR agonist, MRS5980, to saphenous nerve microfilaments harvested from male oxaliplatin-treated rats reversed the loss in ATP production underscoring mitoprotective effects resulting from A3AR activation on mitochondria. Moreover, in vivo administration of A3AR agonists to rats during oxaliplatin treatment was associated with reduced IENF loss and a lower incidence of spontaneous discharge in peripheral afferent axons. These effects are accompanied by improved mitochondrial ATP production in primary afferent sensory axons and overall inhibition of the development of neuropathic pain. These data identify for the first time mitochondrial A3AR and indicate that activation of A3AR protects mitochondrial function in primary afferent sensory axons against chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity. Repurposing A3AR agonists that are already in clinical trials as anticancer agents as adjunct to chemotherapeutics will address a major unmet medical need for which there are no FDA-approved drugs.

A review of the pathogenesis of mitochondria in breast cancer and progress of targeting mitochondria for breast cancer treatment

With breast cancer being the most common tumor among women in the world today, it is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Standard treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, endocrine therapy, and targeted therapy. However, the heterogeneity, drug resistance, and poor prognosis of breast cancer highlight an urgent need for further exploration of its underlying mechanisms. Mitochondria, highly dynamic intracellular organelles, play a pivotal role in maintaining cellular energy metabolism. Altered mitochondrial function plays a critical role in various diseases, and recent studies have elucidated its pathophysiological mechanisms in breast carcinogenesis. This review explores the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in breast cancer pathogenesis and assesses potential mitochondria-targeted therapies.

The Impact of Metabolic Rewiring in Glioblastoma: The Immune Landscape and Therapeutic Strategies

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor characterized by extensive metabolic reprogramming that drives tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. Key metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, lactate production, and lipid metabolism, are upregulated to sustain tumor survival in the hypoxic and nutrient-deprived tumor microenvironment (TME), while glutamine and tryptophan metabolism further contribute to the aggressive phenotype of GBM. These metabolic alterations impair immune cell function, leading to exhaustion and stress in CD8+ and CD4+ T cells while favoring immunosuppressive populations such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and M2-like macrophages. Recent studies emphasize the role of slow-cycling GBM cells (SCCs), lipid-laden macrophages, and tumor-associated astrocytes (TAAs) in reshaping GBM's metabolic landscape and reinforcing immune evasion. Genetic mutations, including Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) amplification, and Phosphotase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN) loss, further drive metabolic reprogramming and offer potential targets for therapy. Understanding the relationship between GBM metabolism and immune suppression is critical for overcoming therapeutic resistance. This review focuses on the role of metabolic rewiring in GBM, its impact on the immune microenvironment, and the potential of combining metabolic targeting with immunotherapy to improve clinical outcomes for GBM patients.

Mitochondria-Targeting Type-I Photodynamic Therapy Based on Phenothiazine for Realizing Enhanced Immunogenic Cancer Cell Death via Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress

Purpose

Photo-immunotherapy faces challenges from poor immunogenicity and low response rate due to hypoxic microenvironment. This study presents Rh-PTZ, a small organic molecule with a D-π-A structure, that simultaneously amplifies mitochondria-targeted type-I PDT-dependent immune stimulation for the treatment of hypoxic cancer.

Methods

The hydrophobic Rh-PTZ was encapsulated into F127 to prepare Rh-PTZ nanoparticles (Rh-PTZ NPs). The type-I ROS generation ability, mitochondrial targeting capacity, and ICD triggering effect mediated by Rh-PTZ NPs under LED light irradiation were investigated. Based on a 4T1 subcutaneous tumor model, the in vivo biological safety assessment, in vivo NIR fluorescent imaging, and the efficacy of PDT were assessed.

Results

Rh-PTZ could efficiently accumulate in the mitochondrial site and induce O2 •- and •OH burst in situ under LED light irradiation, thereby causing severe mitochondrial dysfunction. Rh-PTZ can amplify mitochondrial stress-caused immunogenic cell death (ICD) to stimulate the immune response, promote the maturation of sufficient dendritic cells (DCs), enhance the infiltration of immune cells, and alleviate the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Conclusion

The mitochondria-targeting type-I PDT holds promise to enhance photo-immunotherapy for hypoxia tumor treatment and overcoming the limitations of traditional immunotherapy.

Mitoception, or transfer of normal cell mitochondria to cancer cells, reverses remodeling of store-operated Ca2+ entry in tumor cells

Most cancer cells show the Warburg effect, the rewiring of aerobic metabolism to glycolysis due to defective mitochondrial ATP synthesis. As a consequence, tumor cells display enhanced mitochondrial potential (∆Ψ), the driving force for mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Mitochondria control the Ca2+-dependent inactivation of store-operated channels (SOCs), leading to enhanced and sustained store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) involved in cancer hallmarks. We asked here whether the transfer of mitochondria (mitoception) from normal cells to tumor cells may reverse SOCE remodeling in cancer cells. For this end, we labeled mitochondria in normal NCM460 human colonic cells, isolated them and transferred them to tumor HT29 cells. We tested the viability and efficiency of mitoception using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, as well as calcium imaging to investigate the effects of mitoception on SOCE. Our results show that mitoception of tumor HT29 cells with normal mitochondria restores a low ∆Ψ and SOCE. Conversely, self-mitoception of tumor HT29 cells with tumor cell mitochondria increases further ∆Ψ and SOCE, thus excluding the possibility that effects of mitoception are due to increased mitochondrial mass. Strikingly, mitoception of normal NCM460 cells with tumor cell mitochondria has no effects on either ∆Ψ or SOCE. These results are consistent with the previous proposal that transformed mitochondria may modulate SOC channels involved in SOCE. Further research is warranted to test whether mitoception of cancer cells with normal mitochondria may reverse Ca2+ remodeling associated to cancer.

Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer: Implications for Immunosuppressive Microenvironment

Cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease characterised by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. One hallmark of cancer cells is their ability to undergo metabolic reprogramming, which allows them to sustain their rapid growth and survival. This metabolic reprogramming creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment that facilitates tumour progression and evasion of the immune system. In this article, we review the mechanisms underlying metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells and discuss how these metabolic alterations contribute to the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. We also explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells to enhance immune-mediated anti-tumour responses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02044861, NCT03163667, NCT04265534, NCT02071927, NCT02903914, NCT03314935, NCT03361228, NCT03048500, NCT03311308, NCT03800602, NCT04414540, NCT02771626, NCT03994744, NCT03229278, NCT04899921.

Mitochondrial mechanisms in Treg cell regulation: Implications for immunotherapy and disease treatment

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune diseases. Recent advances in immunometabolism have revealed the pivotal role of mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism in shaping Treg functionality. Tregs depend on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to support their suppressive functions and long-term survival. Mitochondrial processes such as fusion and fission significantly influence Treg activity, with mitochondrial fusion enhancing bioenergetic efficiency and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, thereby promoting Treg stability. In contrast, excessive mitochondrial fission disrupts ATP synthesis and elevates ROS levels, impairing Treg suppressive capacity. Furthermore, mitochondrial ROS act as critical signaling molecules in Treg regulation, where controlled levels stabilize FoxP3 expression, but excessive ROS leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and immune dysregulation. Mitophagy, as part of mitochondrial quality control, also plays an essential role in preserving Treg function. Understanding the intricate interplay between mitochondrial dynamics and Treg metabolism provides valuable insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies to treat autoimmune disorders and enhance immunotherapy in cancer.

MEF2A, a gene associated with mitochondrial biogenesis, promotes drug resistance in gastric cancer

Chemotherapeutic resistance is a major obstacle to the effectiveness of cisplatin-based chemotherapy for gastric cancer (GC), leading to treatment failure and poor survival rates. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Our study demonstrated that the transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) plays a role in chemotherapeutic drug resistance by regulating the transcription of PGC1α and KEAP1, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. It was found that increased MEF2A expression is linked with poor prognosis, cisplatin insensitivity, and mitochondrial function in GC. MEF2A overexpression significantly decreases GC cell sensitivity in vitro and in vivo, while MEF2A knockdown enhances the sensitivity to cisplatin. Mechanistically, MEF2A activates the transcription of PGC1α, leading to increased mitochondrial biogenesis. In addition, MEF2A inhibits KEAP1 transcription, reduces NRF2 ubiquitination degradation, and activates the KEAP1/NRF2 signaling pathway, which modulates the reactive oxygen species level. The present study identifies MEF2A as a new critical oncogene involved in GC chemoresistance, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for GC.

Energy Metabolic Profile in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Preliminary Landscape of Warburg Effect in Oral Cancer

We hypothesized that cell energy metabolic profiles correlate with normal, dysplastic, and tumor cell/tissue statuses and may be indicators of aggressiveness in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. The energy-related proteins that were differentially expressed in human OSCC fragments (n = 3) and their adjacent epithelial tissue (TAE) were verified using mass spectrometry (MS). Immunohistochemistry for 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) was performed to evaluate the oxidative stress patterns in OSCC (n = 10), epithelial dysplasia (n = 9), and normal epithelial (n = 4) biopsies. The metabolic energy profile of OSCC aggressiveness was investigated in human OSCC cell lines with different levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition proteins. The genes associated with the proteins found by MS in this study were analyzed using survival analysis (OS), whereas the genes associated with a poorer prognosis were analyzed using context-specific expression, Gene Ontology (GO) and Cancer Hallmarks for function enrichment analysis. The rationale for all experimental approach was to investigate whether the variation in energy metabolism profile accompanies the different phenotypes (from epithelial to mesenchymal) during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. All OSCC fragments exhibited an increase in glycolysis-related proteins and a decrease in mitochondrial activity compared to the TAE region (p < 0.05), probably due to the downregulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase and antioxidant proteins. Additionally, the OSCC cell lines with a mesenchymal profile (SCC4, SCC9, and SCC25) had a lower mitochondrial mass and membrane potential and generated lower levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species than the TAE region. When we analyzed 4-HNE, the reactive species levels were increased in the epithelial regions of OSCC and potentially malignant lesions. A decrease in the levels of 4-HNE/reactive species was observed in the connective tissue underlying the dysplastic regions and the OSCC invasion zone. Based on this scenario, aggressive OSCC is associated with high glycolytic and oxidative metabolism and low mitochondrial and antioxidant activities, which vary according to the differentiation level of the tumor cells and the stage of carcinogenesis.

Pan-cancer association of a mitochondrial function score with genomic alterations and clinical outcome

Mitochondria are pivotal in cellular energy metabolism and have garnered significant attention for their roles in cancer progression and therapy resistance. Despite this, the functional diversity of mitochondria across various cancer types remains inadequately characterized. This study seeks to fill this knowledge gap by introducing and validating MitoScore-a novel metric designed to quantitatively assess mitochondrial function across a wide array of cancers. Our investigation evaluates the capacity of MitoScore not only to distinguish between tumor and adjacent normal tissues but also to serve as a predictive marker for clinical outcomes. We analyzed gene expression data from 24 cancer types and corresponding normal tissues using the TCGA database. MitoScore was calculated by summing the normalized expression levels of six mitochondrial genes known to be consistently altered across multiple cancers. Differential gene expression was assessed using DESeq2, with a focus on identifying significant changes in mitochondrial function. MitoScore's associations with tumor proliferation, hypoxia, aneuploidy, and clinical outcomes were evaluated using Spearman's correlation, linear regression, and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. MitoScore was significantly higher in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues across most cancer types (p < 0.001). It positively correlated with tumor proliferation rates (r = 0.46), hypoxia scores (r = 0.61), and aneuploidy (r = 0.44), indicating its potential as a marker of aggressive tumor behavior. High MitoScore was also associated with poorer prognosis in several cancer types, suggesting its utility as a predictive biomarker for clinical outcomes. This study introduces MitoScore, a metric for mitochondrial activity often elevated in tumors and linked to poor prognosis. It correlates positively with hypoxia and negatively with stromal and immune infiltration, highlighting mitochondria's role in the tumor microenvironment. MitoScore's association with genomic instability, such as aneuploidy, suggests mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to cancer progression. Despite challenges in mitochondrial-targeted therapies, MitoScore may identify tumors responsive to such treatments, warranting further research for clinical application.

Unveiling chemotherapy-induced immune landscape remodeling and metabolic reprogramming in lung adenocarcinoma by scRNA-sequencing

Chemotherapy is widely used to treat lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients comprehensively. Considering the limitations of chemotherapy due to drug resistance and other issues, it is crucial to explore the impact of chemotherapy and immunotherapy on these aspects. In this study, tumor samples from nine LUAD patients, of which four only received surgery and five received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, were subjected to scRNA-seq analysis. In vitro and in vivo assays, including flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, Seahorse assay, and tumor xenograft models, were carried out to validate our findings. A total of 83,622 cells were enrolled for subsequent analyses. The composition of cell types exhibited high heterogeneity across different groups. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that chemotherapy drove significant metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells and macrophages. We identified two subtypes of macrophages: Anti-mac cells (CD45+CD11b+CD86+) and Pro-mac cells (CD45+CD11b+ARG +) and sorted them by flow cytometry. The proportion of Pro-mac cells in LUAD tissues increased significantly after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Pro-mac cells promote tumor growth and angiogenesis and also suppress tumor immunity. Moreover, by analyzing the remodeling of T and B cells induced by neoadjuvant therapy, we noted that chemotherapy ignited a relatively more robust immune cytotoxic response toward tumor cells. Our study demonstrates that chemotherapy induces metabolic reprogramming within the tumor microenvironment of LUAD, particularly affecting the function and composition of immune cells such as macrophages and T cells. We believe our findings will offer insight into the mechanisms of drug resistance and provide novel therapeutic targets for LUAD in the future.

Mitochondrial transcription elongation factor TEFM promotes malignant progression of gliomas

Gliomas are the most common tumors of the central nervous system, with glioblastoma (GBM) being particularly aggressive and fatal. Current treatments for GBM, including surgery and chemotherapy, are limited by tumor aggressiveness and the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms driving GBM growth is essential. Mitochondria, key players in cellular energy production, have been implicated in cancer development. In this study, we investigated the expression of mitochondrial transcription elongation factor (TEFM) in gliomas and its potential role in tumor progression. Analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed that TEFM transcript levels were significantly higher in glioma tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. High TEFM expression was associated with poor survival outcomes in glioma patients. Furthermore, TEFM was notably upregulated in glioma tissue and in primary glioma cells derived from local patients, while its expression was relatively low in normal tissues and astrocytes. Silencing or knockout of TEFM significantly inhibited glioma cell growth, proliferation, clonogenicity, migration, and invasion, while inducing apoptosis and activating caspases. In contrast, ectopic overexpression of TEFM promoted tumorigenic activity, enhancing the malignant behavior of glioma cells. Co-expression analysis identified a strong correlation between TEFM and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway in gliomas. Notably, the expression of EMT markers, such as N-cadherin and Vimentin, decreased upon TEFM knockdown or knockout. Additionally, TEFM depletion impaired mitochondrial function, disrupting the mitochondrial respiratory chain in glioma cells. In vivo experiments demonstrated that TEFM knockout effectively suppressed the growth of subcutaneous glioma xenografts in nude mice. Collectively, these findings highlight the critical role of TEFM in GBM growth and invasion, suggesting that it could serve as a promising therapeutic target for glioma treatment.

Synergistic enhancement of low-dose radiation therapy via cuproptosis and metabolic reprogramming for radiosensitization in in situ hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy (RT) is a primary clinical approach for cancer treatment, but its efficacy is often hindered by various challenges, especially radiation resistance, which greatly compromises the therapeutic effectiveness of RT. Mitochondria, central to cellular energy metabolism and regulation of cell death, play a critical role in mechanisms of radioresistance. In this context, cuproptosis, a novel copper-induced mitochondria-respiratory-dependent cell death pathway, offers a promising avenue for radiosensitization.

RESULTS

In this study, an innovative theranostic nanoplatform was designed to induce cuproptosis in synergy with low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT, i.e., 0.5-2 Gy) for the treatment of in situ hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This approach aims to reverse the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, promoting a shift in cellular metabolism from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), thereby enhancing sensitivity to cuproptosis. Concurrently, the Fenton-like reaction ensures a sustained supply of copper and depletion of glutathione (GSH), inducing cuproptosis, disrupting mitochondrial function, and interrupting the energy supply. This strategy effectively overcomes radioresistance and enhances the therapeutic efficacy against tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this study elucidates the intricate interactions among tumor hypoxia reversal, cuproptosis, metabolic reprogramming, and radiosensitization, particularly in the context of treating in situ hepatocellular carcinoma, thereby providing a novel paradigm for radiotherapy.

Ailanthone blocks mitophagy to promote mtDNA leakage through BAX-BAK1 pores and suppress hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cancer mortality worldwide, shows rising incidence. The mitochondria in HCC cells are prone to damage from metabolic stress and oxidative stress, necessitating heightened mitophagy for mitochondrial homeostasis and cell survival. Thus, mitophagy inhibition is a promising HCC therapy. The traditional Chinese medicinal herb ailanthone have proved promote mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibits HCC. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Methods

CCK8 assay was applied to detect the proliferation. JC-1, MitoTracker Red/Green and MitoSOX staining were applied to detect the mitochondrial homeostasis. Inflammatory factors were analysed via ELISA and WB assay. Mitochondria and cytoplasm separation, genome extraction and qPCR were used to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. Mitochondria ultrastructure was detected by transmission electron microscopy. WB and IHC experiments were applied to detect protein expression. Protein-protein interactions detected by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence imaging. The in vivo antitumor effect was validated by the xenograft mouse model.

Results

In this study, we demonstrated the potent anti-HCC properties of ailanthone and revealed its molecular mechanism. In vitro studies demonstrated that ailanthone effectively inhibited PINK1-PRKN mediated mitophagy and promoted BAX-BAK1 mitochondrial pores formation through PRKN inhibition. This process led to the mitochondrial mtDNA leakage into the cytoplasm, which subsequently triggered the induction of inflammatory factors. The inhibition of mitophagy and the activation of inflammatory response ultimately led to HCC proliferation inhibition. In vivo studies demonstrated that ailanthone exhibited stronger anti-HCC activity than 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), with no significant adverse effects on animal body weight or the physiological functions of vital organs.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the efficacy of ailanthone against HCC and elucidated its underlying molecular mechanisms, suggesting the promising therapeutic potential of ailanthone for HCC.

Decoding ferroptosis: transforming orthopedic disease management

As a mechanism of cell death, ferroptosis has gained popularity since 2012. The process is distinguished by iron toxicity and phospholipid accumulation, in contrast to autophagy, apoptosis, and other cell death mechanisms. It is implicated in the advancement of multiple diseases across the body. Researchers currently know that osteosarcoma, osteoporosis, and other orthopedic disorders are caused by NRF2, GPX4, and other ferroptosis star proteins. The effective relief of osteoarthritis symptoms from deterioration has been confirmed by clinical treatment with multiple ferroptosis inhibitors. At the same time, it should be reminded that the mechanisms involved in ferroptosis that regulate orthopedic diseases are not currently understood. In this manuscript, we present the discovery process of ferroptosis, the mechanisms involved in ferroptosis, and the role of ferroptosis in a variety of orthopedic diseases. We expect that this manuscript can provide a new perspective on clinical diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.

Non-cell autonomous regulation of cell-cell signaling and differentiation by mitochondrial ROS

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) function intrinsically within cells to induce cell damage, regulate transcription, and cause genome instability. However, we know little about how mitochondrial ROS production non-cell autonomously impacts cell-cell signaling. Here, we show that mitochondrial dysfunction inhibits the plasma membrane localization of cell surface receptors that drive cell-cell communication during oogenesis. Within minutes, we found that mitochondrial ROS impairs exocyst membrane binding and leads to defective endosomal recycling. This endosomal defect impairs the trafficking of receptors, such as the Notch ligand Delta, during oogenesis. Remarkably, we found that overexpressing RAB11 restores ligand trafficking and rescues the developmental defects caused by ROS production. ROS production from adjacent cells acutely initiates a transcriptional response associated with growth and migration by suppressing Notch signaling and inducing extra cellualr matrix (ECM) remodeling. Our work reveals a conserved rapid response to ROS production that links mitochondrial dysfunction to the non-cell autonomous regulation of cell-cell signaling.

The role of mitochondria in tumor metastasis and advances in mitochondria-targeted cancer therapy

Mitochondria are central actors in diverse physiological phenomena ranging from energy metabolism to stress signaling and immune modulation. Accumulating scientific evidence points to the critical involvement of specific mitochondrial-associated events, including mitochondrial quality control, intercellular mitochondrial transfer, and mitochondrial genetics, in potentiating the metastatic cascade of neoplastic cells. Furthermore, numerous recent studies have consistently emphasized the highly significant role mitochondria play in coordinating the regulation of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and immunotherapeutic interventions. This review provides a comprehensive and rigorous scholarly investigation of this subject matter, exploring the intricate mechanisms by which mitochondria contribute to tumor metastasis and examining the progress of mitochondria-targeted cancer therapies.

Chimeric SFT2D2-TBX19 Promotes Prostate Cancer Progression by Encoding TBX19-202 Protein and Stabilizing Mitochondrial ATP Synthase through ATP5F1A Phosphorylation

Specific chimeric RNAs and their products are consistently regarded as ideal tumor diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Chimeric RNAs can mediate tumor cell plasticity, neuroendocrine processes, polarization of tumor-associated macrophages, and resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, the discovery of chimeric RNAs in prostate cancer is still in its early stages. This study identifies the chimeric SFT2D2-TBX19 as a novel transcript encoding the TBX19-202 protein. Both TBX19-202 and its parental TBX19, which share homologous amino acid sequences, enhance prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Additionally, SFT2D2-TBX19 also functions as a lncRNA, interacting with the ATP synthase F1 subunit ATP5F1A, thereby increasing ATP5F1A phosphorylation mediated by TNK2/ACK1, which stabilizes the interaction between ATP5F1A and ATP5F1B. The region spanning 1801-2400 bp of SFT2D2-TBX19 and the intermediate structural domain of ATP5F1A are crucial functional areas. This stabilization of ATP5F1A and ATP5F1B enhances mitochondrial ATP synthase activity and ATP production. Even under conditions of mitochondrial vulnerability, SFT2D2-TBX19 protects mitochondrial structural stability to maintain prostate cancer cell proliferation. This research provides comprehensive evidence that chimeric SFT2D2-TBX19 promotes prostate cancer progression by encoding the TBX19-202 protein and stabilizing mitochondrial ATP synthase via ATP5F1A phosphorylation. These findings highlight SFT2D2-TBX19 as a potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer.

Exploring the dual role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in urological cancers: Implications for tumor progression and cell death interactions

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is crucial for maintaining calcium balance, lipid biosynthesis, and protein folding. Disruptions in ER homeostasis, often due to the accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins, lead to ER stress, which plays a significant role in various diseases, especially cancer. Urological cancers, which account for high male mortality worldwide, pose a persistent challenge due to their incurability and tendency to develop drug resistance. Among the numerous dysregulated biological mechanisms, ER stress is a key factor in the progression and treatment response of these cancers. This review highlights the dual role of aberrant ER stress activation in urologic cancers, affecting both tumor growth and therapeutic outcomes. While ER stress can support tumor growth through pro-survival autophagy, it primarily inhibits cancer progression via apoptosis and pro-death autophagy. Interestingly, ER stress can paradoxically aid cancer progression through mechanisms such as exosome-mediated immune evasion. Additionally, the review examines how pharmacological interventions, particularly with phytochemicals, can stimulate ER stress-mediated tumor suppression. Key regulators, including PERK, IRE1α, and ATF6, are discussed for their roles in upregulating CHOP levels and triggering apoptosis. In conclusion, a deeper understanding of ER stress in urological cancers not only clarifies the complex interactions between cellular stress and cancer progression but also provides new opportunities for innovative therapeutic strategies.

Valence-Transforming O2-Depleting Nano-Assembly Enable In Situ Tumor Depositional Embolization

Abnormal metabolism and blood supply/O2 imbalance in tumor cells affect drug transport delivery and increase the difficulty of tumor treatment. Controlling tumor growth by inhibiting tumor cell metabolism and regulating progressive embolization in the tumor region provides an innovative basis for constructing tumor therapeutic models. A highly biocompatible and efficient O2-depleting agent has been investigated to enable in situ precipitation and embolization within the tumor microenvironment. In situ deformation embolizer, Fe-GA@CaCO3 nano-assembly (GA: gallic acid), can convert into the large granular size embolization components of Fe(III) precipitates and affluent Ca2+ within the tumor microenvironment. In situ progressive O2 depletion produces Fe(III) precipitates that embolize tumor regions, isolating O2 and nutrients by blocking supply. Meanwhile, affluent Ca2+ acts on the intracellular, causing mitochondrial dysfunction through calcium overload and contributing to irreversible tumor cell damage. Both internal and external routes work synergistically to produce precise functional inhibition of tumors from the inside out, simultaneously responding to both intracellular and the corresponding tumor regions, providing an innovative solution for anti-tumor therapy.

Accumulation of Prion Triggers the Enhanced Glycolysis via Activation of AMKP Pathway in Prion-Infected Rodent and Cell Models

Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the hallmarks in the pathophysiology of prion disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Various metabolic dysfunctions are identified and considered to contribute to the progression of some types of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we evaluated the status of glycolysis pathway in prion-infected rodent and cell models. The levels of the key enzymes, hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and pyruvate kinase (PK) were significantly increased, accompanying with markedly downregulated mitochondrial complexes. Double-stained IFAs revealed that the increased HK2 and PFK distributed widely in GFAP-, Iba1-, and NeuN-positive cells. We also identified increased levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the downstream signaling. Changes of AMPK activity in prion-infected cells by the AMPK-specific inhibitor or activator induced the corresponding alterations not only in the downstream signaling, but also the expressions of three key kinases in glycolysis pathway and the mitochondrial complexes. Transient removal or complete clearance of prion propagation in the prion-infected cells partially but significantly reversed the increases of the key enzymes in glycolysis, the upregulation of AMPK signaling pathway, and the decreases of the mitochondrial complexes. Measurements of the cellular oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) showed lower OCR and higher ECAR in prion-infected cell line, which were sufficiently reversed by clearance of prion propagation. Those data indicate a metabolic reprogramming from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis in the brains during the progression of prion disease. Accumulation of PrPSc is critical for the switch to glycolysis, largely via activating AMPK pathway.

Small molecules targeting mitochondria as an innovative approach to cancer therapy

Cellular death evasion is a defining characteristic of human malignancies and a significant contributor to therapeutic inefficacy. As a result of oncogenic inhibition of cell death mechanisms, established therapeutic regimens seems to be ineffective. Mitochondria serve as the cellular powerhouses, but they also function as repositories of self-destructive weaponry. Changes in the structure and activities of mitochondria have been consistently documented in cancer cells. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on using mitochondria as a targeted approach for treating cancer. Considerable attention has been devoted to the development of delivery systems that selectively aim to deliver small molecules called "mitocans" to mitochondria, with the ultimate goal of modulating the physiology of cancer cells. This review summarizes the rationale and mechanism of mitochondrial targeting with small molecules in the treatment of cancer, and their impact on the mitochondria. This paper provides a concise overview of the reasoning and mechanism behind directing treatment towards mitochondria in cancer therapy, with a particular focus on targeting using small molecules. This review also examines diverse small molecule types within each category as potential therapeutic agents for cancer.

Design and synthesis of novel mitochondria-targeted ergosterol peroxide derivatives as potential anti-cancer agents

Ergosterol peroxide (EP) is a natural steroid compound that has been reported to have significant antitumor activity. However, its poor water solubility and cellular uptake mean that it has weak efficacy against tumor cells. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of EP derivatives with mitochondrial targeting properties. Of these, compound 15a showed an IC50 value of 0.32 μM against MCF-7 cells, which was 67-fold higher than that of the parental EP (IC50 = 21.46 μM), and was better than cisplatin (IC50 = 4.23 μM), had a selectivity index of 25.28 (IC50MCF-10A/IC50MCF-7). Additionally, compound 15a promoted an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, and blocked the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase. In a mouse model of breast cancer, 15a showed 89.85 % tumor inhibition at a dose of 20 mg/kg, which is similar to the therapeutic effect of the cisplatin. On the basis of these results, 15a could be considered for further preclinical evaluation for cancer therapy.

Salivary Gland Oncocytomas. A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Oncocytoma is a primary benign epithelial neoplasm comprising less than 2% of salivary tumors with a low recurrence rate.

METHODS

A systematic review of documented case reports and case series of oncocytomas is presented. Searches from different databases were performed to identify articles from 1956 to 2024. The variables included were gender, age, symptoms, duration time before diagnosis, type of gland, histological features, special or immunohistochemical evaluation, treatment, follow-up, recurrence, and relation with a medical condition or syndrome.

RESULTS

Of the 147 cases reported, 53.1% affected females, and 46.9% were in males. The average age was 58.7 years, and the mean size was 2.3 cm. The most common clinical presentation was swelling (92.6%) and 66.7% were asymptomatic. The parotid was the most commonly affected gland with 66% of cases, the submandibular gland with 23.3%, and the minor salivary glands with Phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin (PTAH) was the most common special stain used in 36.7%, followed by a combination with Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) with and without diastase in 26.6%. Excisional biopsy was the most common treatment in 38.1% followed by superficial parotidectomy in 32.7%. Follow-up was 34.7 months on average. Bilateral oncocytomas were found in 4.8% with a 6 to 1 female-male proportion. Recurrence was found in 2.7% and association with Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome was 8.2%.

CONCLUSION

Salivary oncocytoma is a rare epithelial neoplasm with nonspecific clinical presentations. Diagnosis can be suspected on cytology and confirmed by histologic examination. The lesion has an indolent clinical course and most of the reported cases did not recur. There seems to be an association between bilateral oncocytomas and females and a low but interesting association with BHD. Overall, this review serves to better highlight the features of this rare benign neoplasm.

Selective metabolic regulations by p53 mutant variants in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Approximately half of all human cancers harbour mutations in the p53 gene, leading to the generation of neomorphic p53 mutant proteins. These mutants can exert gain-of-function (GOF) effects, potentially promoting tumour progression. However, the clinical significance of p53 GOF mutations, as well as the selectivity of individual variants, remains controversial and unclear.

METHODS

To elucidate the metabolic regulations and molecular underpinnings associated with the specific p53R270H and p53R172H mutant variants (the mouse equivalents of human p53R273H and p53R175H, respectively), we employed a comprehensive approach. This included integrating global metabolomic analysis with epigenomic and transcriptomic profiling in mouse pancreatic cancer cells. Additionally, we assessed metabolic parameters such as oxygen consumption rate and conducted analyses of proliferation and cell-cell competition to validate the biological impact of metabolic changes on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) phenotype. Our findings were further corroborated through analysis of clinical datasets from human cancer cohorts.

RESULTS

Our investigation revealed that the p53R270H variant, but not p53R172H, sustains mitochondrial function and energy production while also influencing cellular antioxidant capacity. Conversely, p53R172H, while not affecting mitochondrial metabolism, attenuates the activation of pro-tumorigenic metabolic pathways such as the urea cycle. Thus, the two variants selectively control different metabolic pathways in pancreatic cancer cells. Mechanistically, p53R270H induces alterations in the expression of genes associated with oxidative stress and reduction in mitochondrial respiration. In contrast, p53R172H specifically impacts the expression levels of enzymes involved in the urea metabolism. However, our analysis of cell proliferation and cell competition suggested that the expression of either p53R270H or p53R172H does not influence confer any selective advantage to this cellular model in vitro. Furthermore, assessment of mitochondrial priming indicated that the p53R270H-driven mitochondrial effect does not alter cytochrome c release or the apoptotic propensity of pancreatic cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study elucidates the mutant-specific impact of p53R270H and p53R172H on metabolism of PDAC cancer cells, highlighting the need to shift from viewing p53 mutant variants as a homogeneous group of entities to a systematic assessment of each specific p53 mutant protein. Moreover, our finding underscores the importance of further exploring the significance of p53 mutant proteins using models that more accurately reflect tumor ecology.

Encapsulated mitochondria to reprogram the metabolism of M2-type macrophages for anti-tumor therapy

M2-type macrophages (M2Φ) play a pro-tumorigenic role and are closely associated with tumor development, where metabolic dysregulation exacerbates the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and fosters tumor growth. Mitochondria serve as the regulatory center of cellular metabolism, yet effective methods to modulate M2Φ mitochondria within the tumor microenvironment remain lacking. In this study, we developed a technique utilizing the bio-encapsulation of mitochondria in Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZiF-8), referred to as Mito@ZiF-8. Our findings demonstrated that this coating protects intact mitochondria and preserves their bioactivity over an extended period after isolation. We successfully delivered Mito@ZiF-8 into M2Φ, which inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors, promoted the release of anti-inflammatory factors, and reprogrammed M2Φ metabolism. This innovative approach has the potential to reduce breast cancer cell metastasis and enhance sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs such as 6-thioguanine, cisplatin, and doxorubicin (Dox). Mito@ZiF-8 aims to reprogram the M2Φ microenvironment to support anti-tumor therapies, offering a novel strategy for improving the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment.

Amantadine against glioma via ROS-mediated apoptosis and autophagy arrest

Glioma is a common primary nervous system malignant tumor with poor overall cure rate and low survival rate, yet successful treatment still remains a challenge. Here, we demonstrated that amantadine (AMT) exhibits the powerful anti-glioma effect by promoting apoptosis and autophagy in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, amantadine induces a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in glioma cells, and then triggers apoptosis by destroying mitochondria. In addition, amantadine induces the initiation of autophagy and inhibits the fusion of autophagosome and lysosome, consequently performing an anti-glioma role. Taken together, our findings suggest that amantadine could be a promising anti-glioma drug that inhibits glioma cells by inducing apoptosis and autophagy, which may provide a novel potential treatment option for patients.

LncRNA mediated metabolic reprogramming: the chief culprits of solid tumor malignant progression: an update review

Metabolism reprogramming (MR) is one of the top ten hallmarks of malignant tumors. The aberrant activation of MR has been recognized as a critical contributory factor to the malignant progression of solid tumors. Moreover, various long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in the aberrant activation of MR in solid tumor cells. Therefore, in this review, we mainly focus on summarizing the functional relevance and molecular mechanistic underpinnings of lncRNAs in modulating MR of solid tumors by targeting glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, affecting mitochondrial function, and regulating interactions between tumor and non-tumor cells in tumor microenvironment. Besides, we also underscore the potential for constructing lncRNAs-centered tumor metabolic regulation networks and developing novel anti-tumor strategies by targeting lncRNAs and abnormal MR. Ultimately, this review seeks to offer new targets and avenues for the clinical treatment of solid tumors in the future.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Risk Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases: From Basic Concepts to Future Prospective

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a very important medical problem. The key role of mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) in the occurrence and progression of NCDs has been proven. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of MD itself in many NCDs has not yet been clarified, which makes it one of the most serious medical problems in the modern world, according to many scientists.

METHODS

An extensive research in the literature was implemented in order to elucidate the role of MD and NCDs' risk factors in the pathogenesis of NCDs.

RESULTS

The authors propose to take a broader look at the problem of the pathogenesis of NCDs. It is important to understand exactly how NCD risk factors lead to MD. The review is structured in such a way as to answer this question. Based on a systematic analysis of scientific data, a theoretical concept of modern views on the occurrence of MD under the influence of risk factors for the occurrence of NCDs is presented. This was done in order to update MD issues in clinical medicine. MD and NCDs progress throughout a patient's life. Based on this, the review raised the question of the existence of an NCDs continuum.

CONCLUSIONS

MD is a universal mechanism that causes organ dysfunction and comorbidity of NCDs. Prevention of MD involves diagnosing and eliminating the factors that cause it. Mitochondria are an important therapeutic target.

Sodium citrate targeting Ca2+/CAMKK2 pathway exhibits anti-tumor activity through inducing apoptosis and ferroptosis in ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian cancer (OC) is known for its high mortality rate. Although sodium citrate has anti-tumor effects in various cancers, its effect and mechanism in OC remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the inhibitory effect of sodium citrate on ovarian cancer cells and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Cell apoptosis was examined by TUNEL staining, flow cytometry, and ferroptosis was examined intracellular Fe2+, MDA, LPO assays, respectively. Cell metabolism was examined by OCR and ECAR measurements. Immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation were used to elucidate the mechanism.

RESULTS

This study suggested that sodium citrate not only promoted ovarian cancer cell apoptosis but also triggeredferroptosis, manifested as elevated levels of Fe2+, LPO, MDA andlipid ROS production. On one hand, sodium citrate treatment led to a decrease of Ca2+ content in the cytosol by chelatingCa2+, which further inhibited the Ca2+/CAMKK2/AKT/mTOR signaling, thereby suppressing HIF1α-dependent glycolysis pathway and inducing cell apoptosis. On the other hand, the chelation of Ca2+ by sodium citrate resulted in inactivation of CAMKK2 and AMPK, leading to increase of NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy, causing increased intracellular Fe2+ levels. More importantly, the inhibition of Ca2+/CAMKK2/AMPK signaling pathway reduced the activity of the MCU and Ca2+ concentration within the mitochondria, resulting in an increase in mitochondrial ROS. Additionally, metabolomic analysis indicated that sodium citrate treatment significantly increased de novo lipid synthesis. Altogether, these factors contributed to ferroptosis. As expected, Ca2+ supplementation successfully reversed the cell death and decreased tumor growth induced by sodium citrate. Inspiringly, it was found that coadministration of sodium citrate increased the sensitivity of OC cells to chemo-drugs.

CONCLUSION

These results revealed that the sodium citrate exerted its anti-cancer activity by inhibiting Ca2+/CAMKK2-dependent cell apoptosis and ferroptosis. Sodium citrate will hopefully serve as a prospective compound for OC treatment and for improvingthe efficacy of chemo-drugs.

Targeting Fn14 as a therapeutic target for cachexia reprograms the glycolytic pathway in tumour and brain in mice

PURPOSE

Cachexia is a complex syndrome characterized by unintentional weight loss, progressive muscle wasting and loss of appetite. Anti-Fn14 antibody (mAb 002) targets the TWEAK receptor (Fn14) in murine models of cancer cachexia and can extend the lifespan of mice by restoring the body weight of mice. Here, we investigated glucose metabolic changes in murine models of cachexia via [18F]FDG PET imaging, to explore whether Fn14 plays a role in the metabolic changes that occur during cancer cachexia.

METHODS

[18F]FDG PET/MRI imaging was performed in cachexia-inducing tumour models versus models that do not induce cachexia. SUVaverage was calculated for all tumours via volume of interest (VOI) analysis of PET/MRI overlay images using PMOD software.

RESULTS

[18F]FDG PET imaging demonstrated increased tumour and brain uptake in cachectic versus non-cachectic tumour-bearing mice. Therapy with mAb 002 was able to reduce [18F]FDG uptake in tumours (P < 0.05, n = 3). Fn14 KO tumours did not induce body weight loss and did not show an increase in [18F]FDG tumour and brain uptake over time. In non-cachectic mice bearing Fn14 KO tumours, [18F]FDG tumour uptake was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than in cachectic mice bearing Fn14 WT counterparts. As a by-product of glucose metabolism, l-lactate production was also increased in cachexia-inducing tumours expressing Fn14.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that Fn14 receptor activation is linked to glucose metabolism of cachexia-inducing tumours.

Aberrant Energy Metabolism in Tumors and Potential Therapeutic Targets

Energy metabolic reprogramming is frequently observed during tumor progression as tumor cells necessitate adequate energy production for rapid proliferation. Although current medical research shows promising prospects in studying the characteristics of tumor energy metabolism and developing anti-tumor drugs targeting energy metabolism, there is a lack of systematic compendiums and comprehensive reviews in this field. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review on the characteristics of tumor cells' energy metabolism, with a specific focus on comparing abnormalities between tumor and normal cells, as well as summarizing potential targets for tumor therapy. Additionally, this review also elucidates the aberrant mechanisms underlying four major energy metabolic pathways (glucose, lipid, glutamine, and mitochondria-dependent) during carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Through the utilization of graphical representations, we have identified anomalies in crucial energy metabolism pathways, encompassing transporter proteins (glucose transporter, CD36, and ASCT2), signaling molecules (Ras, AMPK, and PTEN), as well as transcription factors (Myc, HIF-1α, CREB-1, and p53). The key molecules responsible for aberrant energy metabolism in tumors may serve as potential targets for cancer therapy. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the distinct energy-generating pathways within tumor cells, laying the groundwork for developing innovative strategies for precise cancer treatment.

Oxidative Phosphorylation as a Predictive Biomarker of Oxaliplatin Response in Colorectal Cancer

Oxaliplatin is successfully used on advanced colorectal cancer to eradicate micro-metastasis, whereas its benefits in the early stages of colorectal cancer remains controversial since approximately 30% of patients experience unexpected relapses. Herein, we evaluate the efficacy of oxidative phosphorylation as a predictive biomarker of oxaliplatin response in colorectal cancer. We found that non-responding patients exhibit low oxidative phosphorylation activity, suggesting a poor prognosis. To reach this conclusion, we analyzed patient samples of individuals treated with oxaliplatin from the GSE83129 dataset, and a set of datasets validated using ROCplotter, selecting them based on their response to the drug. By analyzing multiple oxaliplatin-resistant and -sensitive cell lines, we identified oxidative phosphorylation KEGG pathways as a valuable predictive biomarker of oxaliplatin response with a high area under the curve (AUC = 0.843). Additionally, some oxidative phosphorylation-related biomarkers were validated in primary- and metastatic-derived tumorspheres, confirming the results obtained in silico. The low expression of these biomarkers is clinically relevant, indicating poor prognosis with decreased overall and relapse-free survival. This study proposes using oxidative phosphorylation-related protein expression levels as a predictor of responses to oxaliplatin-based treatments to prevent relapse and enable a more personalized therapy approach. Our results underscore the value of oxidative phosphorylation as a reliable marker for predicting the response to oxaliplatin treatment in colorectal cancer.

[Role of Mitochondria in Ferroptosis and Its Relationship to Tumors]

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered form of cell death that is distinct from apoptosis, characterized primarily by the accumulation of intracellular iron and increased levels of lipid peroxidation. Resistance of tumor cells to ferroptosis can promote tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Various compounds can influence tumor development by triggering ferroptosis. Ferroptosis involves complex regulatory mechanisms, with mitochondria serving as both an iron storage and metabolic center, playing a crucial regulatory role in ferroptosis. This review discusses ferroptosis and its three stages and the role of ferroptosis in tumorigenesis, progression, and treatment, as well as the regulatory mechanisms of mitochondria in ferroptosis.
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Insights into Metabolic Reprogramming in Tumor Evolution and Therapy

Background: Cancer remains a global health challenge, characterized not just by uncontrolled cell proliferation but also by the complex metabolic reprogramming that underlies its development and progression. Objectives: This review delves into the intricate relationship between cancer and its metabolic alterations, drawing an innovative comparison with the cosmological concepts of dark matter and dark energy to highlight the pivotal yet often overlooked role of metabolic reprogramming in tumor evolution. Methods: It scrutinizes the Warburg effect and other metabolic adaptations, such as shifts in lipid synthesis, amino acid turnover, and mitochondrial function, driven by mutations in key regulatory genes. Results: This review emphasizes the significance of targeting these metabolic pathways for therapeutic intervention, outlining the potential to disrupt cancer's energy supply and signaling mechanisms. It calls for an interdisciplinary research approach to fully understand and exploit the intricacies of cancer metabolism, pointing toward metabolic reprogramming as a promising frontier for developing more effective cancer treatments. Conclusion: By equating cancer's metabolic complexity with the enigmatic nature of dark matter and energy, this review underscores the critical need for innovative strategies in oncology, highlighting the importance of unveiling and targeting the "dark energy" within cancer cells to revolutionize future therapy and research.

Integrative multi-omics analysis unveils the connection between transcriptomic characteristics associated with mitochondria and the tumor immune microenvironment in lower-grade gliomas

Lower-grade gliomas (LGGs) exhibit diverse clinical behaviors and varying immune infiltration levels. Mitochondria have been implicated in numerous cancer pathogenesis and development, including LGGs. However, the precise biological functions of mitochondrial genes in shaping the immune landscape and the prognostic significance of LGGs remain elusive. Utilizing the Mito-Carta3.0 database, we curated a total of 1136 genes implicated in mitochondrial functions. By leveraging the expression profiles of 1136 genes related to mitochondria, we successfully categorized LGGs into four distinctive mitochondria-related transcriptome (MRT) subtypes. Our thorough analysis conclusively demonstrated that these subtypes exhibited marked disparities. To enable a personalized and integrated evaluation of LGG patients, we developed a prognostic signature known as MRT-related prognostic signature (MTRS). MTRS demonstrated correlation with mitochondria-related transcriptome (MRT) subtypes, allowing the assessment of patients' prognosis and immune microenvironment. We conducted a detailed exploration of the single-cell distribution of MTRS in lower-grade gliomas and verified the core genes of MTRS within the spatial transcriptome of these tumors. Furthermore, our study pinpointed MGME1 as the pivotal gene in the model, functioning as an oncogene that exerts influence on cell proliferation and migration capabilities. Our research highlights the importance of mitochondrial transcriptomic features in LGGs, offering paths for tailored therapies.

A novel role for WZ3146 in the inhibition of cell proliferation via ERK and AKT pathway in the rare EGFR G719X mutant cells

Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are common driver oncogenes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Studies have shown that afatinib is beneficial for NSCLC patients with rare EGFR mutations. However, the effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) against the G719X (G719A, G719C and G719S) mutation has not been fully established. Herein, using the CRISPR method, the EGFR G719X mutant cell lines were constructed to assess the sensitivity of the rare mutation G719X in NSCLC. WZ3146, a novel mutation-selective EGFR inhibitor, was conducted transcriptome sequencing and in vitro experiments. The results showed that WZ3146 induced cytotoxic effects, inhibited growth vitality and proliferation via ERK and AKT pathway in the EGFR G719X mutant cells. Our findings suggest that WZ3146 may be a promising treatment option for NSCLC patients with the EGFR exon 18 substitution mutation G719X.

Ponicidin Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mitochondrial Apoptosis by Stabilizing Keap1-PGAM5 Complex

Ponicidin is a diterpenoid with demonstrated antitumor activity in clinical trials. However, the specific function and mechanism of action against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown. In this study, it is found that ponicidin significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. It is shown that ponicidin targets Keap1 and promotes the formation of the Keap1-PGAM5 complex, leading to the ubiquitination of PGAM5, using biotin-labeled ponicidin for target fishing and the HuProtTM Human Proteome Microarray V4.0. Ponicidin is found to activate the cysteine-dependent mitochondrial pathway via PGAM5, resulting in mitochondrial damage and ROS production, thereby promoting mitochondrial apoptosis in HepG2 cells. The first in vitro cocrystal structure of the PGAM5 IE 12-mer peptide and the Keap1 Kelch domain is obtained. Using molecular dynamics simulations to confirm the binding of ponicidin to the Keap1-PGAM5 complex. Based on the depth-based dynamic simulation, it is found that ponicidin can induce the tightening of the Keap1-PGAM5 interaction pocket, thereby stabilizing the formation of the protein complex. Finally, it is observed that ponicidin effectively inhibited tumor growth and promoted tumor cell apoptosis in a BALB/c nude mouse xenograft tumor model. The results provide insight into the anti-HCC properties of ponicidin based on a mechanism involving the Keap1-PGAM5 complex.

TMX2 potentiates cell viability of hepatocellular carcinoma by promoting autophagy and mitophagy

The dysregulation of membrane protein expression has been implicated in tumorigenesis and progression, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to identify membrane proteins that modulate HCC viability. To achieve this, we performed a CRISPR activation screen targeting human genes encoding membrane-associated proteins, revealing TMX2 as a potential driver of HCC cell viability. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that TMX2 promoted growth and tumorigenesis of HCC. Clinically, TMX2 was an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients. It was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. Mechanistically, TMX2 was demonstrated to promote macroautophagy/autophagy by facilitating KPNB1 nuclear export and TFEB nuclear import. In addition, TMX2 interacted with VDAC2 and VADC3, assisting in the recruitment of PRKN to defective mitochondria to promote cytoprotective mitophagy during oxidative stress. Most interestingly, HCC cells responded to oxidative stress by upregulating TMX2 expression and cell autophagy. Knockdown of TMX2 enhanced the anti-tumor effect of lenvatinib. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the pivotal role of TMX2 in driving the HCC cell viability by promoting both autophagy and mitophagy. These results suggest that TMX2 May serve as a prognostic marker and promising therapeutic target for HCC treatment.Abbreviation: CCCP: Carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone; Co-IP: co-immunoprecipitation; CRISPR: clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; KPNB1: karyopherin subunit beta 1; PRKN: parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase; ROS: reactive oxygen species; TFEB: transcription factor EB; TMX2: thioredoxin related transmembrane protein 2; VDAC2: voltage dependent anion channel 2; VDAC3: voltage dependent anion channel 3; WB: western blot.

Dihydroartemisinin suppresses glioma growth by repressing ERRα-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis

Malignant gliomas are an exceptionally lethal form of cancer with limited treatment options. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a sesquiterpene lactone antimalarial compound, has demonstrated therapeutic effects in various solid tumors. In our study, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of DHA in gliomas. To explore the therapeutic and molecular mechanisms of DHA, we employed various assays, including cell viability, flow cytometry, mitochondrial membrane potential, glucose uptake and glioma xenograft models. Our data demonstrated that DHA significantly inhibited glioma cell proliferation in both temozolomide-resistant cells and glioma stem-like cells. We found that DHA-induced apoptosis occurred via the mitochondria-mediated pathway by initiating mitochondrial dysfunction before promoting apoptosis. Moreover, we discovered that DHA treatment substantially reduced the expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis-related gene, ERRα, in glioma cells. And the ERRα pathway is a critical target in treating glioma with DHA. Our results also demonstrated that the combination of DHA and temozolomide synergistically inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells. In vivo, DHA treatment remarkably extended survival time in mice bearing orthotopic glioblastoma xenografts. Thus, our findings suggest that DHA has a novel role in modulating cancer cell metabolism and suppressing glioma progression by activating the ERRα-regulated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.